as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
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Recent Examples of dogfight
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
New York was able to capitalize and win, 123-112, to open up what looks to be a dogfight against Detroit.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Pakistan scrambled fighter jets, and the two air forces engaged in a dogfight before the crisis ended.
—Michael Kugelman, Time, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
New York was able to capitalize and win, 123-112, to open up what looks to be a dogfight against Detroit.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Pakistan scrambled fighter jets, and the two air forces engaged in a dogfight before the crisis ended.
—Michael Kugelman, Time, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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The confrontation is the latest flashpoint in a growing legal and political battle over the Trump Administration’s immigration policies.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The fellowship already has a partnership with the Austin Film Festival’s script competition.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Noun
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An increase in the drone supply—in addition to their effectiveness in combat operations—is reflective of a strategic adaptation by NATO to new forms of warfare that increasingly rely on unmanned systems.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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This conflict, ensnared in trench warfare, is reminiscent of the battlefields of Europe in World War I, where the machine gun and tank notably became revolutions in military affairs; the small drone is this generation’s change to modern warfare.—
Bill Edwards,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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Spade's death on June 5, 2018, stunned the fashion world, highlighting the silent struggles behind one of the industry's biggest names and, along with the death of Anthony Bourdain three days later, sparked a broader conversation about mental health amidst fame and success.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Noun
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That drastically changed after Armenia suffered a disastrous defeat in the 2020 war.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Federal and state law enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland Security have repeatedly issued bulletins, warning the country is vulnerable to terrorism, especially at large events, as a result of the Gaza war.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
Noun
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In the ensuing violent confrontation, her son is killed.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
5 June 2025
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The tense confrontation was the latest flashpoint between the Trump administration and Chicago over immigration policies — a potentially ominous sign for what’s ahead for the nation’s third-largest city, which has long been in the president’s crosshairs.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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